UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
February 22, 2011 -- 2:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER, STATEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND OPEN MEETING LAW NOTIFICATION:
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 2:45 P.M. by Chairman Tim Knuth.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Scott Beckman Jerry Childers Chris Dierks James Dvorak Gregg Felker
Curtis Gotschall Reg Green Jerry Heithoff Ted Hughes Jim Keller
Tim Knuth Jeff Krebs Mike Russman Roy Stewart Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Tom Riley, Water Resources Manager
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT:
Jim Mathine – NRCS – Spencer Tony Zeman – Bassett
Jeri Kuchera – Bassett Leslie Zeman – Bassett
Terry Kuchera – Bassett Tonny Beck – Ainsworth
Ron Heerten – Springview Jeff Larson – Rose
Todd Stelling – Orchard
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Chris Dierks to adopt the agenda. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart &Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Gotschall. MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the January Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ] It was moved by Jeff Krebs and seconded by Jerry Childers to approve the minutes of the January Meeting. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Krebs & Russman. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Gotschall, Green, Knuth & Stewart. ABSENT: Wiles. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
The January treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Roy Stewart and seconded by Ted Hughes to approve the January Treasurers Report. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman & Stewart. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Gotschall & Knuth. ABSENT: Wiles. MOTION CARRIED.
FEBRUARY 2, 2011 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES:
The minutes of the February 2, 2011 Special Board Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ] It was moved by Gregg Felker and seconded by Jeff Krebs to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2011 Special Board Meeting. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs & Russman. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Stewart. ABSENT: Gotschall & Wiles. MOTION CARRIED.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report: Ted Hughes reported that they met following the NARD Legislative Conference. The Association Board conducted a review of the Executive Director and approved a 5% increase. He reported that the Mohler case is still active and they are considering settling the case under errors and omissions for $7500. Ted also reported on the risk pool meeting and the financial status of the program.
DNR Report: No Report.
NRCS Report: Jim Mathine’s report was mailed out prior to the board meeting. Jim discussed the cooperative agreement between the NRCS and UENRD. He also discussed the quarterly audit of contracts and the EQIP sign-up which ended last Friday.
RC&D Report:
North Central RC&D: This information was provided to the Directors.
Loup Basin RC&D: This information was provided to the Directors.
Northeast RC&D: This information was provided to the Directors.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Beth updated the Director listing and passed it around for corrections.
Water Resources Report: Tom Riley’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Tom reported on the status of the Phase II reports, the LB 483 January 2011 application map and the proposal for the study between the LENRD and UENRD. There will be a joint meeting between the two NRDs to discuss the proposal the week of March 14. Tom and Kelly are also planning to attend the Water Conference March 7-8 in Kearney.
EBVC Update: Dennis Schueth reported that the program is wrapping up the final grant payments. There will be a final report once the project is completed.
ELM Update: No Report.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative, Finance and Planning:
Action on Current bills and Cost Share Requests: The Committee met prior to the Board meeting. The Committee appointed Jeff Krebs chair and reviewed the current bills. ]It was moved by Mike Russman and seconded by Reg Green to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart &Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC FORUM:
NRD Talking Points: Dennis Schueth reported that there have been some unfavorable public comments following the third expansion of irrigated acres sign-up. Dennis has drafted a list of talking points reflecting some of the NRDs efforts to provide continued economic development and protecting landowners rights while protecting natural resources across the district.
LB 483 & Fully Appropriated Designations Impacts: Cooperators from the UENRD were in attendance to express their feelings regarding the transfer of water rights. Each cooperator had the opportunity to address the Board of Directors and explain their situation.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Water Resources & Watershed: The Committee met prior to the Board meeting. Gregg Felker was appointed chair of the committee.
Discussion on Acre Transfers for 2011: Gregg reported that the majority of the meeting was spent discussing water transfers and reviewing the process through the GWMP Rules and Regulations. There are various issues which have delayed the District from certifying acres; however, the committee did not feel that District cooperators should be penalized by the slow process. ]It was moved by Gregg Felker and seconded by Jim Keller that the Upper Elkhron NRDs staff work with cooperators to certify irrigated acres on a case by case basis. By doing this process it will allow for transfers of irrigated acres to occur during the 2011 growing season. There will be a transfer fee that coincides with the fee for LB 483 acre expansion. Acre certification must follow the rules and regulations set forth in the UENRD Groundwater Management Plan. This approval is preliminary and additional signatures and/or documentation may be needed at a later date. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman, Stewart &Wiles. NAY: Gotschall. ABSTAIN: Beckman. ABSENT: None. MOTION CARRIED.
UNL Conservation Survey Disvision Aquifer Study-IWMPP: A meeting will be held during the week of March 14.
Infra-Red Aerial Photographs: This may be a tool to aide in the certification of acres, transfers and compliance of the LB 483 and the GWMP Rules & Regulations. The staff will continue gathering information on this program.
LB 483, January 2011 Sign-up (Update): Dennis Schueth passed out additional information on the passed three LB 483 sign-ups.
COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): No Report.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Protection Act Coalition: No Report.
Lower Platte Basin Coalition: No Report.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION – ACTION:
Dennis Schueth reported that the Supreme Court decision has still not been announced.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
Dennis Schueth’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets and a copy is kept on file at the NRD office. Dennis’ report was covered under the previous agenda items.
MARCH 2011 BOARD MEETING:
]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Gregg Felker to hold the next board meeting on March 28, 2011 at 2:30 PM. AYE: Beckman, Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs & Russman. NAY: Green, Stewart & Wiles. ABSTAIN: Gotschall. ABSENT: Dierks. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM.